Set sail for the skies at The National Balloon Museum located minutes outside of Des Moines. Six thousand visitors come to the museum attraction annually to see high-flying exhibits like the Fantasia Balloon, Hot Air Airship, the Stone Family Balloons and learn about over 200 years of ballooning history.
Where's the beef? It's at the Iowa State Fair, also home to the famous annual Butter Cow Sculptures tradition. You'll be attending the official state fair where the state shows off its agriculture might. For 11 days, there is a corral full of indoor and outdoor exhibits, rides, craft shows, musical acts and wild attractions.
Enter Terrace Hill, a magnificent mansion located in Des Moines, built by Iowa's first millionaire Benjamin Franklin Allen. The rambling Napoleon-style, 18,000 square foot mansion sits grandly on a hill overlooking the capital city. Besides being a museum, the mansion is host to state dinners and receptions.